Welcome to my genealogy pages! This hobby has become quite fascinating since I discovered that two of my 10th great-grandfathers, Richard Warren and Francis Cooke, and his 13 year old son John Cooke, were Pilgrim Separatists and passengers on the Mayflower in 1620. This qualified me for membership in the Mayflower Society.

Artist and Oceanographer Mike Haywood has painted a stunning portrayal of the dramatic rescue of Mayflower passenger John Howland, who fell overboard during the tempestuous Atlantic crossing. The painting evokes a humbling realisation of the hardships the passengers had to endure. John's brother Arthur Howland, who arrived in 1623, was my 9th great-grandfather.

Another 9th great-grandfather, Adam Mott, arrived in 1635. He and his family were passengers on the Defence, qualifying his descendants for membership in the Winthrop Society.

Most of our family tree is already well researched and well documented in published genealogy books. Among the family were my 9th great-grandparents Lawrence & Cassandra Southwick, early Quakers who were persecuted by Puritans for their beliefs. John Greenleaf Whittier wrote a poem about Cassandra. The Coffins and Starbucks were among the original purchasers and settlers of Nantucket Island. Mary Coffin Starbuck was my 8th great-grandmother. She became known as "The Great Lady" and was one of the first Quaker leaders in Nantucket. Other ancestors were among the first settlers of Rhode Island. The Rhode Island Charter, finally procured from King Charles II in July of 1663, was a miracle document espousing freedom of religion and personal responsibility. Rhode Island became a beacon of light in the New World.

One cousin, Nathaniel Greene, was a famous General of the Revolutionary War, second only to George Washington. Then there is the legend of the "Mosher Millions!"

The family history of my grandmother Bessie (White) Pearson says that the White's came from the Isle of Guernsey, Channel Islands, England. The family name "White" was Anglicised from "LeBlanc" as they were French Protestant Huguenots (or Walloons) who escaped from persecution in France during the French Revolution, fleeing to England. From England, they emigrated to Prince Edward Island and then Montana. Family legend also states that her mother, Marie Theresa Schollaert, was related to the Prime Minister of her birthplace, Belgium. So far, I have not found the connection.

People who are living are excluded from this genealogy.

My heartfelt thanks go to my 2nd cousin Sarah George Zakrzewski. Without her help none of this would have been possible. Many thanks also to my 2nd cousin Lora Lee Jensen, who compiled The Pearson Family book, rekindled my interest in genealogy, and without whom I would not have found Sarah. They are both wonderful inspirations, and I am proud that we belong to the same family.

Julie Roley, a newly discovered 2nd cousin from my Blalock/Ellis/Taylor side has informed me that the g-grandfather of my great-grandmother Dora May Taylor, was a Choctaw Chief of Alabama. I am looking forward to having more information to post soon.

I hope that this information can assist others in our extended family who are working on their own genealogy. Please contact me if you have any additions or corrections to offer. I have some additional information that is not on this site, so feel free to inquire. This web site may change from time to time as I obtain new or more reliable information.

"People will not look forward to posterity who do not look back to their ancestors."